Assist grip



Oct.30, 1934. c. P. scHLEGl-:L

ASSIST GRIP Original Filed Sept. 25, 1950 AToRNEY Patented Oct. 30, 1934 1,978,961 ASSIST GRIP Charles P. Schlegel, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Schlegel Manufacturing Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 25, 1930, Serial No. 484,355

Renewed July 1, 1932 9 clams..` (C1. 105-354) The present invention relates to assist grips of the type used in vehicles for the convenience of the occupants. An object of this invention is to improve that type of assist grips in which the l grip portion is in the form of a loop. Another object of the invention is to provide an assist grip of loop form with means which will hold the loop in a neat uncrinkled condition. Still another object of the invention is to provide an assist grip of looped form with a resilient core which will hold the core covering in an expanded uncrinkled condition.

To these and other ends, the invention consists of certain parts and combinations of 'parts all of which Will be hereinafter described: the novel features being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an assist grip constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the assist grip;

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross section through one side of the loop; and

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the grip while in strap form before being looped.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, 1 indicates an attaching device from which the loop is suspended. The loop in this instance, embodies a core 2 formed preferably of a nonstretchable Water-proof resilient material which may be readily deformed transversely but will quickly rebound and resume its natural form. In this instance, the core 2 is made of sponge rubber With a non-stretching web 1a of textile material embedded therein, and has a generally at cross section, its opposite side portions being reduced or thinner, so as to render such portions more readily deformable. The core extends throughout the length of the loop, its opposite L10 ends being reduced in Width and one reduced end being longer than the other, so as to pass through the eye 3 of the attaching device to meet the I other reduced end on the rear side of the loop at 4.

Over the loop is a covering which, in this instance, is formed of two strips 5 and 6 of textile material, the former on the outer and the latter on the inner face of the core, and having their side edges secured together by tape 7 stitched to both pieces. It is preferred to make the outer piece of heavier and more expensive material and to secure this piece adhesively to one flat face of the core. In this Way the textile pieces tend to strengthen the core against stretching while the core acts more effectively to maintain the covering in an uncrinkled condition.

After the core is covered, a strap such as shown in Fig. 4 is provided. The longer reduced end of this strap is passed through the eye 3 of the attaching device and is secured to the front portion of the loop adjacent the other end of the strap by stitches 8, which are covered by a braid 9. In this Way a small loop is provided above the braid, passed through the eye of the attaching device and separated from the large loop for the hand by the stitches 8.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been provided an assist grip of loop form in which there is arranged a core readily deformable transversely but rebounding to maintain the grip portion of the loop in a flat uncrinkled condition.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An assist grip for vehicles having a looped grip portion flat in cross section and provided With a flat core of sponge rubber.

2. An assist grip for vehicles having a looped grip portion flat in cross section and provided with a flat core of sponge rubber and an imbedded Web of textile material.

3. An assist grip of looped form having a core of resilient material, said core being substantially unstretchable and having a flat cross section, portions of the core adjacent opposite sides being thinner than the central portion.

4. An assist grip of looped form comprising a core of resilient non-stretchable material extended through the loop and having a substantially flat cross section, with opposite side portions bevelled to produce thin side edges, and a textile covering for the core adhesively secured to one face of the latter.

5. A grip strap for vehicles comprising a grip portion core Within said portion and having a fabric ply center embedded in a body of resilient rubber, said core being substantially nonstretchable longitudinally but resiliently compressible transversely in the grip of the hand, and means for supporting said strap.

6. An assist grip having a core comprising a flexible, resilient rubber material formed in transversely elongated shape Which is resiliently flexible in a transverse direction, means reinforcing said core against stretching in a longitudinal direction, and a flexible fabric covering for said core and reinforcing means.

7. An assist grip having a core comprising a exible, resilient rubber material integrally formed in transversely elongated shape substantially commensurate With the Width of the grip and resiliently flexible in a transverse direction, 110,.

9. An assist grip of looped shape having a core of exible, resilient material comprising a strip of fabric With a covering of rubber formed thereon, said core being relatively thin but of a Width substantially commensurate with the transverse Width of the grip whereby said core is resiliently exible in a transverse direction but substantially unstretchable longitudinally, a covering for said core, and means for attaching said grip to a support.

CHARLES P. SCI-ILEGEL.

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